News

Canucks News

Comets rewind - Oct 28, 2013

by
Tyson Giuriato
/ Vancouver Canucks

First home game, first point, first shootout, first lead and first goal for Frankie.

The Utica Comets (0-5-0-1) finally held their home opener on Wednesday night, the first of three home games this past week. Although they are still searching for their first victory of the season, the Comets did manage to secure their first point in franchise history in a shootout loss to the Syracuse Crunch.

Weekly ResultsWednesday, October 23rd: Albany Devils 4 Utica Comets 1

-3815 people jam-packed the Utica Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday night to witness the very first home game in Comets history. -Penalties were a problem for the Comets, as they found themselves shorthanded eight times. -Frank Corrado scored the first Comets goal on home ice as he rifled a shot from the point, 13:12 into the third period. The goal also marked the first professional goal in Corrado’s career. -Darren Archibald tried to spark the Comets faithful with a late first period tilt with Albany’s Tim Sestito (Tom’s brother). Judges scored the fight 10-9, 10-8 and 10-9 in favor of Archibald. -Joe Cannata made 19 saves between the barber poles for Utica. -Yann Suave and Pascal Pelletier picked up helpers on the Corrado goal. -Henrik Tommernes led all Comets players with five shots on goal.

Friday, October 25th: Syracuse Crunch 2 Utica Comets 1

-It wasn’t quite a sell-out, but close enough, as 3611 were on hand to see the Comets and Crunch on Friday night. -Colin Stuart’s second goal of the season 4:39 into the first period gave the Comets their first lead in a game this season. -There were more fights than goals in this one, as Alex Biega, David Marshall, Kellan Lain and Kelsey Wilson all dropped the mitts for the Comets. -The teams were scoreless after 60 minutes, meaning the Comets picked up their first point in franchise history. -Benn Ferriero scored the lone-goal in the shootout for the Comets, but the Crunch were able to find the back of the net twice to earn the extra point. -Joacim Eriksson was solid in net, kicking aside 32 shots in the Comets crease. -Yann Suave and Zac Dalpe picked up assists on the Stuart goal. -Ferriero led all Comets players with five shots on goal.

Saturday, October 27th: Hamilton Bulldogs 3 Utica Comets 2

-Although they outplayed the Bulldogs, the Comets dug themselves a three-goal deficit by the midway mark of the middle stanza and were unable to claw all the way back and find the equalizer. -Peter Andersson scored his first of the season, while Colin Stuart netted his third goal of the year to round-out the scoring for the Comets. Andersson’s goal was his first since December 13th of 2012 when he was a member of the Chicago Wolves. That goal also came against the Bulldogs…spooky! -Benn Ferriero had two helpers in the game, while Frank Corrado and Pascal Pelletier both grabbed one assist apiece. -Stuart led the way for the Comets with six shots on net.-Pelletier finished with a game-high plus-2 rating. -Joacim Eriksson stopped 21 of the 24 shots he faced in the net for the Comets. -The Comets outshot the Bulldogs by a count of 33-24 on the night.

Comet of the Week

It hasn’t been the best start for Comets goaltenders this season, but if it wasn’t for Canucks prospect Joacim Eriksson, the Comets would still be without a point. The Swedish-born net-minder made 32 saves in the Comets 2-1 shootout loss to Syracuse on Friday night, earning 2nd Star of the Game honors. Twenty-four hours later Eriksson was solid again, and although he only stopped 21-of-24 shots he faced, he made some big stops, including two first period breakaways, to keep the Comets in the game. If this past weekend was any indication, expect Eriksson to see a bulk of the playing time between the pipes for the Comets.

Coming Up…

Just two games on tap this week for the Comets, as they continue their six-game home stand with a pair of games against the Abbotsford Heat on Wednesday and Friday night.